| Topic: | A new Nakba? | |
| Posted by: | Richard Carter | |
| Date/Time: | 03/01/24 19:24:00 |
| I wasn't going to rejoin this debate since it just seemed to be going round in circles, with the same points being endlessly repeated and involving long lectures which hardly anyone would have wanted to read. But recent developments are rather concerning, in particular the ugly suggestions being made by right wing Israelis on what should happen to the present inhabitants of Gaza. According to a piece by Sam Sokol the Times of Israel (https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministers-call-for-resettling-gazas-palestinians-building-settlements-in-strip/amp/), cabinet ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich have presented the migration of Palestinian civilians as a solution to the long-running conflict and as a prerequisite for securing the stability necessary to allow residents of southern Israel to return to their homes. According to Ben Gvir, the war presents an “opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza,” and Smotrich has argued that the “correct solution” to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “to encourage the voluntary migration of Gaza’s residents to countries that will agree to take in the refugees.” And according to an article in the Telegraph (paywall), the Israeli government is conducting secret talks in which it is seeking to have Congo and other nations accept thousands of immigrants. I'm sure we can all imagine the "voluntary" nature of the "encouragement" of such migrations, and it remains to be seen if these are serious suggestions or just the vapourings of the more extremist ministers in Netanyahu's already extremist government. PS: I hope this essay isn't too long... |